Tennis Canada can confirm that Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from the National Bank Open presented by Rogers due to a right shoulder injury.
Nishikori, who was a finalist at the National Bank Open in 2016, was set to face No. 7 seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland on Rogers 5G Grandstand this afternoon.
“I am disappointed to announce that I have decided to withdraw from my match today,” Nishikori commented. “The right shoulder is very sore after a long stretch of tennis and I do not want to risk further injury. I will now spend my focus on getting healthy and back on court again.”
As a result of Nishikori’s withdrawal, Hurkacz will receive a walkover into the third round, where he will face the winner of No. 12 seed Alex de Minaur’s clash with Nikoloz Basilashvili.
“It is such a shame that Kei [Nishikori] has to withdraw,” said Karl Hale, Tournament Director of the National Bank Open in Toronto. “He is a real fans’ favourite at our event having made the final a few years ago here in Toronto and he’s such a great player to watch. We wish him well in his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to Toronto in 2023.”
